Grob Aerospace Will Still Handle Preproduction Work
Bombardier announced Thursday its facility in Queretaro, Mexico
will manufacture the composite structure for the upcoming Learjet
85 business jet. The Queretaro site will also manufacture the
electrical harness and perform sub-assembly systems
installation.
Final assembly, interior completions, flight test and customer
delivery of this next-generation aircraft will take place at
Bombardier's Wichita facility, home of the Learjet brand.
"Mexico is key to the development of a highly competitive
aerospace industry in Central and South America, as well as to
Bombardier's increased competitiveness in the international
marketplace," said Jean Seguin, Vice-President Engineering and
Supply Chain, Bombardier Aerospace. "With our facility in
Queretaro, we continue to expand our manufacturing capacity while
increasing the efficiency of our operations. In keeping with our
tradition of innovation, the composite manufacturing capacity we
are adding to our plant in Mexico is an excellent complement to the
approximately 40 years of experience in advanced composites
technologies developed at our Bombardier facilities."
"The name Learjet embodies a legacy of excellence in the history
of business aviation and as with all our Learjet aircraft, Wichita
will remain the site for final completion of our new Learjet 85
aircraft," said David Coleal, Vice-President and General Manager,
Learjet Product Line.
As ANN reported, Bombardier
announced in January Grob Aerospace had been selected to develop
the all-composite structure of the Learjet 85, and produce the
composite structure during the initial production cycle. During
this period, Bombardier will transfer composite manufacturing from
Grob to its Queretaro site.
Launched on October 30, 2007 the new Learjet 85 aircraft will be
the first Bombardier jet to feature an all-composite structure and
will be the first all-composite structure business jet designed for
type certification under US Federal Aviation Administration FAR
Part 25. Entry into service is planned for fiscal year 2012/13.
Bombardier began operations in May 2006 at its facility in the
El Marques Industrial Park, and a second plant located at the new
Queretaro Aerospace Park was officially inaugurated in February.
Currently, approximately 900 employees work at Bombardier's
facilities in Queretaro where they manufacture electrical harnesses
and structural aircraft components, including the Challenger 850
mid-fuselage, the Q400 aircraft flight control work package, and
the aft fuselage for the Global family of aircraft.
By the end of fiscal year 2008/09, Bombardier Aerospace expects
the workforce to increase to 1,200 full-time employees.